Systems and methods for flexible reversal of condenser fans in vending machines, appliances, and other store or dispense equipment

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for operating a condenser fan. The systems and methods may include a compressor and a condenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode. The systems and methods may further include a programmable timer/microcontroller in communication with the compressor and the condenser fan, where the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to condenser fans, and moreparticularly, to the reverse mode of operation of condenser fans invending machines, appliances, coolers, dispensers, and other electricalequipment for storing or dispensing food and/or beverages.

II. Description of Related Art

Vending machines, appliances, and other store or dispense equipment mayhave a refrigeration system to maintain or serve the beverages or otherproducts at a dispensing temperature different from the ambienttemperature. The refrigeration system typically includes a condenser tocompress a refrigerant and an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant,as is well-known to those of ordinary skill in art. The condenser may bemade of metal tubing with condenser fins that increase the surface areafor air to contact in order to improve the refrigerant efficiency of thecondenser. Furthermore, a condenser fan may be provided to move a largervolume of air across the condenser.

However, because the refrigeration systems in the vending machines,appliances, and other store or dispense equipment are oftentimes mountednear the floor, the air being forced across the condenser fins by thecondenser fan contains lint, dust, and dirt. Over time, the lint, dustand dirt builds up on the condenser fins, especially in condensers withtight fins arrangements, thereby resulting in poor airflow across thecondenser. Poor airflow across the condenser fins reduces the energyefficiency and performance of the entire refrigeration system, and maycause premature failures in refrigeration system components.Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for systems and methods forflexibly reversing the condenser fan in order to dislodge the lint,dust, and dirt buildup on the condenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a system foroperating a condenser fan. The system includes a compressor and acondenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode anda reverse mode. The system further includes a programmabletimer/microcontroller in communication with the compressor and thecondenser fan, where the programmable timer/microcontroller operates thecondenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse modeindependently of a running cycle of the compressor.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is a method foroperating a condenser fan. The method includes providing a compressor,providing a condenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in aforward mode and a reverse mode, and operating the condenser fan betweenthe forward mode and reverse mode independently of a running cycle ofthe compressor.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is a systemfor operating a condenser fan. The system includes a compressor and acondenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode anda reverse mode. The system further includes means for operating thecondenser fan between the forward mode and reverse mode independently ofa running cycle of the compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary components of a vending machine,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate exemplary configurations of programmabletimers/microcontrollers that enable reverse modes of operation forcondenser fans, according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As will be described in further detail below, embodiments of theinvention may provide systems and methods for reversing the condenserfan in vending machines, appliances, coolers, dispensers, and other likestore or dispense equipment. Indeed, embodiments of the invention mayprovide flexibility to reverse the condenser fan at opportunistic times,perhaps independently of a compressor cycle. According to an embodimentof the invention, the condenser fan may be selectively reversed for onlya portion of the time that the compressor is running, perhaps inaccordance with a preset delay time. According to another embodiment ofthe invention, the condenser fan may be reversed during a portion of thetime when the lights of the store or dispense equipment are turned off.According to still another embodiment of the invention, the condenserfan may be reversed for an amount of time based upon the occurrence of aparticular triggering event. For example, the condenser fan may run inreverse before or after every compressor cycle, before or after everyother compressor cycle, and the like.

System Overview

FIG. 1A illustrates a system overview of components of an exemplaryvending machine 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. Thevending machine 100 may be illustrative of a wide range of store ordispense equipment that is encompassed within various embodiments of theinvention.

The vending machine 100 of FIG. 1A may include a vending machinecontroller (VMC) 102, where the vending machine controller 102 includesa VMC processor 104 in communication with a communications module 106and a memory 108. The communications module 106 may include one or moremodules for providing internal and/or external communications usingwired and/or wireless technologies. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the communications module 106 may provide a DEX/UCS link orother bus link, including a multi-drop bus (MDB) link, a parallel buslink, a universal serial bus (USB) link, and the like. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the communications module 106 may alsosupport communications according to a variety of protocols and a varietyof public (e.g., Internet) and private networks, including Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, TCP/IP, and commercial carrier networks of any type orspeed (e.g., dial-up, DSL, cable modem, fiber optic carrier, etc.).

Now referring to the memory 108 of the vending machine 100, the memory108 may store computer-executable instructions, which when executed bythe VMC processor 104, performs one or more of the steps or functionsdescribed herein, including providing instructions to the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116 described below. The memory 108 may also storehistorical data, scheduling or configuration data, and/or energymanagement data for one or more components of the vending machine 100.These vending machine 100 components may include the light output 110the compressor 112, and the condenser fan 114. Yet other vending machine100 components may include a condenser, an evaporator, an evaporatorfan, patron sensors, vending sensors, payment sensors, energy managementagents, event schedulers, and the like. It will be appreciated thatvariations in the vending machine 100 components described above may beavailable without departing from embodiments of the invention.

While the memory 108 may be illustrated as a separate module in FIG. 1A,the memory 108 may also be integrated with the VMC processor 104 and/orprogrammable timer/microcontroller 116 without departing fromembodiments of the invention. Indeed, according to another embodiment ofthe invention, the memory 108 or a portion thereof may be external tothe vending machine controller 102, the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116, or the entire machine 100, and may include adatabase, network storage, flash memory drive, removable hard drive orother removable storage media, and other external memory means.

Still referring to FIG. 1A, the vending machine controller 102 maycontrol the operation of the light output 110, the compressor 112,and/or the condenser fan 114, either directly or by providinginstructions to a programmable timer/microcontroller 116 that operatesin accordance with the instructions. According to an embodiment of theinvention, the vending machine controller 102 may retrieve scheduling orconfiguration data from memory 108 and transmit instructions to theprogrammable timer/microcontroller 116 in accordance with the schedulingor configuration data. The scheduling or configuration data may instructthe programmable timer/microcontroller 116 to configure or reset timedelays for its component relays or other switches that directly controlone or more components of the vending machine 100. This scheduling orconfiguration data may be determined by a learning algorithm executed bythe vending machine controller 102 or preprogrammed, perhaps by a backoffice. The scheduling or configuration data may also be determined andpreprogrammed by a merchant-owner, a route supervisor, or a bottlerassociated with the vending machine 100.

The vending machine controller 102 may also transmit updates or newinstructions to the programmable timer/microcontroller 116 if theoperating specifications of the light output 110, compressor 112,condenser fan 114, or other vending machine 100 components have changed.Although not illustrated in FIG. 1A, the vending machine controller 102and/or programmable timer/microcontroller 116 may also operate othercomponents of the vending machine 100 as well, including an evaporator,an evaporator fan, and a condenser.

Many other variations of FIG. 1A are possible without departing fromembodiments of the invention. For example, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, FIG. 1B illustrates a variation of FIG. 1Awhere both of the VMC processor 104 and the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116 may be in direct communication with the lightoutput 110, the compressor 112, and the condenser fan 114. In addition,the VMC processor 104 may communicate with the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116 via the communications module 106. However,according to another embodiment of the invention, the VMC processor 104may communicate with the programmable timer/microcontroller 116 directlywithout using the communications module 106.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, the programmable timer/microcontroller 116may generally operate the light output 110, the compressor 112, and/orthe condenser fan 114. The programmable timer/microcontroller 116 mayalso operate other components of the vending machine 100 as well.According to an embodiment of the invention, the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116 may also include a memory for storingscheduling or configuration data for operation of the light output 110,the compressor 112, and/or the condenser fan 114. Like the scheduling orconfiguration data described above, this data may be determined by alearning algorithm executed by the programmable timer/microcontroller116 or preprogrammed, perhaps by a back office. The scheduling orconfiguration data may also be preprogrammed by a merchant-owner, aroute supervisor, or a bottler associated with the vending machine 100.Thus, in accordance with the scheduling data, the programmabletimer/microcontroller 116 may configure or reset time delays for itscomponent relays or other switches that control the light output 110,the compressor 112, and/or the condenser fan 114. However, according toan embodiment of the invention, the VMC processor 104 may override theoperations of the programmable timer/microcontroller 116, and insteaddirectly control the light output 110, the compressor 112, and/or thecondenser fan 114.

Having discussed a system overview for the vending machine 100, severalembodiments of programmable timers/microcontrollers 116 for reversingthe condenser fan 114 will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 2-5.It will be appreciated that these programmable timers/microcontrollersmay alternatively include programmable logic arrays (PLAs) andintegrated circuits in accordance with other embodiments of theinvention. It will be appreciated that according to another embodimentof the invention, the programmable timer/microcontroller 116 may operateindependently of the vending machine controller 102.

Programmable Timers/Microcontrollers

Embodiment #1. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of aprogrammable timer/microcontroller 202 that enables a reverse inode ofoperation for the condenser fan 114. In FIG. 2, the condenser fan 114 isengaged in either a forward or reverse mode of operation when thecompressor 112 is running. As will be described below, the condenser fan114 may be selectively reversed for only a portion of the time that thecondenser fan is running, perhaps according to a preset delay time thatis preprogrammed as described above. The configuration of FIG. 2 may beutilized for an electronically commutated blower (ECM), a PSC (permanentsplit capacitor) motor, or a scroll motor that is provided for thecondenser fan 114, according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. With an ECM, PSC, or a scroll motor, the condenser fan 114may be able to change rotational direction (e.g., forward, reverse)without first waiting for the condenser fan 114 to come to a completestop or to a near zero speed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the programmable timer/microcontroller 202 mayinclude three relays 204, 206, 208. Relay 204 may be an electricalswitch with an OFF position 204 a (e.g., open, disengaged, deactivated,etc.) and an ON position 204 b (e.g., closed, engaged, activated, etc.).According to an embodiment of the invention, relay 204 may also be atime delay relay in which the OFF position 204 a or ON position 204 b istoggled according to a preset time delay. Relay 206 may be an electricalswitch with a forward position 206 a or a reverse position 206 b.According to an embodiment of the invention, relay 206 relay be a timedelay relay in which the forward position 206 a or the reverse position206 b is toggled according to a preset time. Likewise, relay 208 may bean electrical switch with an OFF position 208 a (open, disengaged, etc.)and an ON position 208 b (closed, engaged, etc.). According to anembodiment of the invention, relay 208 may be a time delay relay inwhich the OFF position 208 a or the ON position 208 b is toggledaccording to a preset time delay. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that other switches or timers besides time-delay relays may beutilized without departing from embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, both the compressor 112 and the condenser fan114 are always connected to the first power source (e.g., L1) 212 a.With reference to the compressor 112 when relay 204 is in the OFFposition 204 a, there is an open circuit at relay 204, and the secondpower source (e.g., L2) 212 b is not provided to the compressor 112. Onthe other hand, when relay 204 is in the ON position 204 b, compressor112 is connected to the second power source 212 b, thereby completing anelectrical circuit and allowing the compressor 112 to run. According toan embodiment of the invention, the relay 204 may include a preset timedelay for switching the compressor 112 between the OFF position 204 aand the ON position 204 b.

Referring now to condenser fan 114, there is a forward connection 210 aand a reverse connection 210 b for operating the condenser fan 114 in aforward mode or a reverse mode, respectively. When relay 204 is in theON position 204 b (i.e., compressor 112 is running) and relay 206 is inthe OFF position 206 a, then the second power source 212 b is providedto the forward connection 210 a of the condenser fan 114. In thisconfiguration, the condenser fan 114 is connected to the first powersource 212 a and the second power source 212 b according to a forwardmode of operation, and thus, the condenser fan 114 runs forward. On theother hand, when relay 204 is in the ON position 204 b, then the secondpower source 212 b is provided to the reverse connection 210 h of thecondenser fan 114. In this configuration, the condenser fan 1114 isconnected to the first power source 212 a and the second power source212 b according to a reverse mode of operation, and thus, the condenserfan 114 runs in reverse. According to an embodiment of the invention,the preset delay time on the relay 206 may be configured such that thecondenser fan runs forward for a first portion of time (e.g. 90%) thatthe compressor 112 is running while the condenser fan 114 runs inreverse for a second portion of the time that the compressor 112 isrunning (e.g., 10%).

In addition to controlling the operations of the compressor 112 and thecondenser fan 114, the programmable timer/microcontroller 202 may alsocontrol the operation of the light output 110. In particular, when relay208 is in the OFF position 206 a (e.g., open, disengaged, etc.), thereis an open circuit at relay 208, and the light output 110 is notoperative. On the other hand, when relay 208 is in the ON position 206 a(e.g., closed, engaged, etc.), light output 110 is connected to thesecond power source 212 b, thereby operating the light output 110.Accordingly, relay 208 may be operated by the programmabletimer/microcontroller 202 to enable or disable the light output 10,perhaps using a preset time delay. For example, during a power saving orstandby mode, the programmable timer/microcontroller may disable thelight output 110 by placing relay 208 in the OFF position 206 a.However, during a normal mode, the programmable timer/microcontroller202 may enable the light output 110 by placing relay 208 in the ONposition 206 a. These different energy management modes (e.g., standby,normal etc.) may be associated with certain preset time delays for therelay, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment #2. FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of aprogrammable timer/microcontroller 302 that enables a reverse mode ofoperation for the condenser fan 114, generally when the light output 110is disabled. In particular, the forward operation of the condenser fan114 may be operable when the light output 110 is enabled. On the otherhand, the reverse operation of the condenser fan 114 may be selectivelyoperable when the light output 110 is disabled (e.g., off or in standbymode).

As shown in FIG. 3, the programmable timer/microcontroller 302 mayinclude two relays 304, 308. Relay 304 may be an electrical switch withan OFF position 304 a (e.g., open, disengaged, etc.) and an ON position304 b (e.g. closed, engaged, etc.). According to an embodiment of theinvention, relay 304 may also be a time delay relay in which the OFFposition 304 a or ON position 304 b is toggled according to a presettime delay. Likewise, relay 308 may be an electrical switch with an OFFposition 308 a (open, disengaged, etc.) and an ON position 308 b(closed, engaged, etc.). According to an embodiment of the invention,relay 308 may be a time delay relay in which the OFF position 308 a orthe ON position 308 b is toggled according to a preset time delay. Inaddition to the relays provided by the programmabletimer/microcontroller 302, there is also an AC relay 306. The AC relay306 is in the reverse position 306 a when the light output 110 is notenabled (e.g., relay 308 is in the OFF position 308 a); likewise, the ACrelay 306 is in the forward position 306 b with the light output 110 isenabled (e.g., relay 308 is in the ON position 308 b). One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that other switches besides the relaysdescribed above may be utilized without departing from embodiments ofthe invention.

Still referring to FIG. 3, both compressor 112 and condenser fan 114 arealways connected to the first power source (e.g. L1) 312 a. Withreference to the compressor 112 when relay 304 is in the OFF position304 a, there is an open circuit at relay 304, and the second powersource (e.g., L2) 312 b is not provided to the compressor 112. On theother hand, when relay 304 is in the ON position 304 b, compressor 112is connected to the second power source 312 b, thereby completing anelectrical circuit and allowing the compressor 112 to run. According toan embodiment of the invention, relay 304 may include a preset timedelay for switching the compressor 112 between the OFF position 304 aand the ON position 304 b.

Referring now to condenser fan 114, there is a forward connection 310 aand a reverse connection 310 b for operating the condenser fan 114 in aforward mode or a reverse mode, respectively. When relay 304 is in theON position 304 b (i.e., compressor 112 is running) and AC relay 306 isin the reverse position 306 a, then the second power source 312 b isprovided to the reverse connection 310 a of the condenser fan 114.Recall that the AC relay 306 is in the reverse position 306 a when thelight output 110 is not enabled. In this configuration, the condenserfan 114 is connected to the first power source 312 a and the secondpower source 312 b according to a reverse mode of operation, and thus,the condenser fan 114 runs in reverse.

On the other hand, when relay 304 is in the ON position 304 b, then thesecond power source 312 b is provided to the reverse connection 310 b ofthe condenser fan 114. Recall that the AC relay 306 is in the forwardposition 306 b when the light output 110 is enabled. In thisconfiguration, the condenser fan 114 is connected to the first powersource 212 a and the second power source 212 b according to a forwardmode of operation, and thus, the condenser fan 114 runs forward.

According to an embodiment of the invention, relay 308 may include apreset time delay for determining whether the light output 110 is in theOFF position 308 a or the ON position 308 b. Therefore, when the presettime delay results in the relay 308 switching to the OFF position 308 h,then the AC relay 306 is automatically switched to the reverse position306 b. On the other hand, when, the preset time delay of the relay 308results in the relay 308 switching to the ON position 308 a, then the ACrelay is automatically switched to the forward position 306 a. Othervariations of preset time delays for relays 304, 308 are availableaccording to other embodiments of the invention.

Embodiment #3. FIG. 4 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of aprogrammable timer/microcontroller 402 main board and daughter board 403combination that enables a reverse mode of operation for the condenserfan 114, perhaps in accordance with the occurrence of a particulartriggering event. For example, the triggering event may be the beginningof a compressor 112 cycle, the end of a compressor cycle, before andafter every other compressor cycle, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the daughter board 403 typically coupleselectrically to the programmable timer/microcontroller 402. According toone embodiment, there may be a wired connection between the programmabletimer/microcontroller 402 main board and the daughter board 403.According to another embodiment of the invention, the programmabletimer/microcontroller 402 and the daughter board 403 may be integratedinto a single package or board.

As shown in FIG. 4, the programmable timer/microcontroller 402 mayinclude three relays 404, 406, 408. Relay 404 may be an electricalswitch with an OFF position 404 a (e.g., open, disengaged, etc.) and anON position 404 b (e.g., closed, engaged, etc.). According to anembodiment of the invention, relay 404 may also be a time delay relay inwhich the OFF position 404 a or ON position 404 b is toggled accordingto a preset time delay. Relay 406 may also be an electrical switch withan OFF position 406 a (e.g., open, disengaged, etc.) and an OFF position406 b (e.g. closed, engaged, etc.). According to an embodiment of theinvention, relay 406 may be a time delay relay in which the OFF position406 a or the ON position 406 b is toggled according to a preset time,perhaps associated with one of the particular triggering eventsdescribed above (e.g., before a compressor 112 cycle, after a compressor112 cycle, etc.). Likewise, relay 408 may be an electrical switch withan OFF position 408 a (open, disengaged, etc.) and an ON position 408 b(closed, engaged, etc.). According to an embodiment of the invention,relay 408 may be a time delay relay in which the OFF position 408 a orthe ON position 408 b is toggled according to a preset time delay. Inaddition to the relays provided by the programmabletimer/microcontroller 402, there is also a relay 410 included with thedaughter board 403. Relay 410 may be an electrical switch with a forwardposition 410 a and a reverse position 410 b. According to an embodimentof the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, relay 410may be a time delay relay in which the forward position 410 a or thereverse position 410 b is toggled according to a preset time, perhapsalso associated with one of the particular triggering events describedabove (e.g., before a compressor 112 cycle, after a compressor 112cycle, etc.). One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherswitches besides the relays described above may be utilized withoutdeparting from embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 4, both the compressor 112 and the condenser fan 114 areconnected to the first power source 412 a (e.g., L1). The compressor 112is also connected to the second power source 412 b (e.g., L2), andtherefore operable, when the relay 404 is in the ON position 404 b.According to an embodiment of the invention, the relay 404 may include apreset time delay for switching the compressor 112 between the OFFposition 404 a and the ON position 404 b.

Likewise, the condenser fan 114 is also connected to the second powersource 412 b, and therefore operable, when the relay 406 is in the ONposition 406 b. More specifically, when relay 406 in the ON position 406b, the condenser fan 114 is operable in the forward mode when relay 410of the daughter board 403 is in the forward position 410 a. On the otherhand, the condenser fan 114 would be operable in the reverse mode ifrelay 410 were in the reverse position 410 h. According to an embodimentof the invention, either or both of the relay 406 and the relay 410 mayalso include a preset time delay that is operative based upon theoccurrence of a predetermined event. As described above, thispredetermined event may be the beginning or end of a compressor 112cycle, the beginning or end of every other compressor 112 cycle, and thelike. Therefore, upon the occurrence of a particular triggering event,relay 406 may be placed in the ON position 406 b for a preset amount oftime and similarly, relay 410 may be placed in the forward position 410b for a predetermined amount of time. Accordingly, the condenser fan 114may operate in a reverse mode of operation for a predetermined amount oftime that is independent of the compressor 112 cycle. Other variationsof the reversal of the condenser fan 114 may be provided withoutdeparting from embodiments of the invention.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A system for operating a condenser fan, comprising: a compressor; acondenser fan, wherein the condenser fan is operable in a forward modeand a reverse mode; and a programmable timer/microcontroller incommunication with the compressor and the condenser fan, wherein theprogrammable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan betweenthe forward mode and the reverse mode independently of a running cycleof the compressor.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the condenser fanincludes one of a scroll motor, a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motorand an electronically commutated blower (ECM) motor.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates thecondenser fan according to at least one first preset time delay, andwherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the compressorbetween the forward mode and the reverse mode according to at least onesecond preset time delay.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at leastone first present time delay and the at least one second preset timedelay is determined at least in part by one of (i) a back office, and(ii) a merchant-owner, a route supervisor, or a bottler.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates thecondenser fan and the compressor according to one or more schedules. 6.The system of claim 1, further comprising a first relay and a secondrelay, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes at leastthe first relay, wherein the first relay operates to provide power froma power source to the condenser fan, and wherein the second relayselects between the forward mode and the reverse mode for the condenserfan.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first relayand the second relay operate according to a preset time delay.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the second relay is coupled to a lightoutput, wherein an operation of the light output determines whether thesecond relay selects the forward mode or the reverse mode for thecondenser fan.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein second relayautomatically selects the reverse mode when the light output is one of(i) off and (ii) in standby.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein thesecond relay is an AC relay.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein theprogrammable timer/microcontroller includes a third relay, wherein thethird relay operates to provide power from the power source to the lightoutput.
 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the programmabletimer/microcontroller includes a third relay, wherein the third relayoperates to provide power from the power source to the compressor. 13.The system of claim 6, wherein the first relay further operates toprovide power from the power source to the compressor, wherein both thecompressor and the condenser fan are inoperable when the first relaydisconnects power to the compressor and condenser fan.
 14. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller comprises a mainboard and a daughter board, wherein the first relay is included on themain board and the second relay is included on the daughter board. 15.The system of claim 6, wherein prior to operating the condenser fan inthe reverse mode, the first relay is disengaged to disconnect thecondenser fan from the power source to allow the condenser fan todecelerate from a forward speed to the substantially zero speed.
 16. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the second relay selects the reverse mode forthe condenser fan for a preset amount of time upon the occurrence of atriggering event associated with the compressor.
 17. The system of claim16 wherein the triggering event is a beginning or end of the runningcycle for the compressor.
 18. A method for operating a condenser fan,comprising: providing a compressor; providing a condenser fan, whereinthe condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode; andoperating the condenser fan between the forward mode and reverse modeindependently of a running cycle of the compressor.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the condenser fan includes one of a scroll motor, apermanent split capacitor (PSC) motor, and an electronically commutatedblower (ECM) motor.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprisingproviding a programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein operating thecondenser fan includes the programmable timer/microcontroller operating(i) the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse modeaccording to at least one first preset time delay, and (ii) thecompressor according to at least one second preset time delay.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the at least one first present time delayand the at least one second preset time delay is determined at least inpart by one of (i) a back office, and (ii) a merchant-owner, a routesupervisor, or a bottler.
 22. The method of claim 18, further comprisingproviding a programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein operating thecondenser fan includes the programmable timer/microcontroller operatingthe condenser fan and the compressor according to one or more schedules.23. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a first relayand a second relay, wherein at least the first relay is included with aprogrammable timer/microcontroller, wherein the first relay operates toprovide power from a power source to the condenser fan, and wherein thesecond relay selects between the forward mode and the reverse mode forthe condenser fan.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one ofthe first relay and the second relay operate according to a preset timedelay.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second relay is coupledto a light output, wherein an operation of the light output determineswhether the second relay selects the forward mode or the reverse modefor the condenser fan.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein second relayautomatically selects the reverse mode when the light output is one of(i) off and (ii) in standby.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein thesecond relay is an AC relay.
 28. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising providing a third relay with the programmabletimer/microcontroller, wherein the third relay operates to provide powerfrom the power source to the light output.
 29. The method of claim 23,wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes a third relay,wherein the third relay operates to provide power from the power sourceto the compressor.
 30. The method of claim 23, wherein the first relayfurther operates to provide power from the power source to thecompressor, wherein both the compressor and the condenser fan areinoperable when the first relay disconnects power to the compressor andcondenser fan.
 31. The method of claim 23, wherein the programmabletimer/microcontroller comprises a main board and a daughter board,wherein the first relay is included on the main board and the secondrelay is included on the daughter board.
 32. The method of claim 23,wherein prior to operating the condenser fan in the reverse mode,disengaging the first relay to disconnect the condenser fan from thepower source to allow the condenser fan to decelerate from a forwardspeed to the substantially zero speed.
 33. The method of claim 23,wherein the second relay selects the reverse mode for the condenser fanfor a preset amount of time upon the occurrence of a triggering eventassociated with the compressor.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein thetriggering event is a beginning or end of the running cycle for thecompressor.
 35. A system for operating a condenser fan, comprising: acompressor; a condenser fan, wherein the condenser fan is operable in aforward mode and a reverse mode; and means for operating the condenserfan between the forward mode and reverse mode independently of a runningcycle of the compressor.